Door check or closer



(No Modem s simens-sheen 1 C. '0. CASE. DOOR CHECK 0R CLOSER.

Patented Nov.v 6, 1894.

(No Model.)

' v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

C. O. CASE. DOOR CHECK OR CLOSER. N0. 528,858. Patented NOV. 6, 1894. 7#H6 *2Q Hu n '"H l 9)) H7 77, I w) H 'H lu mnml l H F EL f @,Z E l A A L;P h-;; EIC

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C. 0. CASE,

DOOR CHECK- 0R CLOSER.

(No Model.)

-Patented Nov. 6, 1894.

e I 7/\ will! IIIlIiIIIHIHHIII A `o a piston through the intervention ofa link d2.

UNITED STATES PATENT EErcE.

CROMWELL O. CASE, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE P. t F.CORBIN, OF SAME PLACE.

Do'oR CHECK 0R CLOSER.v

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,853, dated November6, 1894.

Application led August 1 8,1 8 94.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CROMWELL 0. CASE, of New Britain, in the county ofHartford and State of Connecticut, have invented cer- 5 tain new anduseful Improvements in Door Checks or Closers; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact de scription of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.`

My invention relates to an improvement in liquid door checks, and itconsists in certain features of construction and combinations of partsas will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawingsz-#Figure l is a view in elevation of myimproved check. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of same. Fig. 3 is aview in vertical section at right angles to Fig. 2. Figs. 4i and 5 areviews in horizontal section through the liquid chamber. Fig. 6 is an endview of one of the pistons. Fig. 7 is a view of the screw cap. Fig. 8 isa view of the packing sleeve. Fig. 9 is a view of the spring sleeve, andFig. l0 is a plan view partly in section showing the improvement appliedto a door.

A represents the casing cast in a single piece, the upper portion orvertical cylindrical section a of which constitutes the spring chamber,while the lower or horizontal cylindrical section b constitutes theliquid chamber. This casing A is provided with the integral brackets cwhich are provided with holes c for the insertion of screws by which thedevice may be held in place. The vertical cylinder or springchamber a isconstructed with an open end which is closed by the cap B, which maysimply rest on the cylinder or be secured thereto in any desired manner.

The spring chamber and liquid chamber are separated bya partition C, theupper tace of which is finished to form a flat seat for the spring D.This partition is provided centrally with an opening designed to receivethe packing through which the spindle F passes. This spindleA F issimply a cylindrical rod provided on its lower end with a head d3carryin g two Wrist pins d each of which operates Located above the headd3, and preferably in- Serial No. 520,721. (No model.)

tegral with the same, and also with the spindle, is the shoulder dcylindrical in shape and preferably provided with a flat upper face.This shoulder rests within a cylindrical recess 5'5 in the sleeve E',which constitutes a part of the packing, a packing ring being interposedbetween the upper face of the shoulder d and the adjacent face ofthesleeve E. This sleeve is, in the present instance, somewhat smaller indiameter than the diameter of the opening in the partition C, so as topermit the parts to be easily and quickly assembled, and is provided atits upper end with a rim or flange E2, screwthreaded on its outer edgefor engagement with screw threads formed in the partition C. The sleeveE is provided centrally with an opening for the passage of the spindleF, the said opening making a close t with the spindle at a point justabove the 7o head cl3, the spindle being slightly increased in diameterat this point. The upper portion of this enlarged portion of the spindleis screw threaded as at d4 to engage the nut d5 which latter when inposition rests within a recess d formed in the top of the sleeve E. Thisnut resting ou the sleeve and attached to the spindle forms a supportfor the spindle and holds the latterin proper position, with the wristpins approximately in the horizontal 8o center of the liquid chamber.

G is a screw cap provided with threads for engaging the threads formedin the partition C, and with afplain rim or flange adapted to snugly fitwithin' the recess gy formed in the 85 top face of the partitionadjacent to the opening. This cap G is provided with a cylindricalrecess opening centrally from the top and screw threaded to receive thescrew threaded gland g', which latter has a bore designed to 9o snuglyfit the spindle F. Suitable packing is placed within the recess belowthe gland g to prevent the liquid from passing upwardly aroundthe'spindle. The top of the sleeve and the lower face of the screw cap,are, when in 9 5 proper position separated as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,thus leaving a chamber G2. Opening into this chamber are two ports g3,one of which leads from chamber G2 to a point near one end ot' thecylinder b, While the other port roo g3 leads from chamber G2 to a pointnear the opposite end of cylinder b. Thus it will be seen, that shouldany of the liquid employed inthe check, leak past the sleeve E intochamber G2, it would be free to pass from thence back into the cylinderor liquid chamber b, as there is practically no pressure on the liquidin the liquid chamber b between the piston and the heads of thecylinder.

Located within the spring chamber a is the barrel or sleeve I-I whichlatter embraces the spindle F, and is provided with a groove h toreceive the bent inner end cf the spring I. To the upper end of thesleeve II is secured aratchet wheel H designed to engagea double pawl H2pivoted to the under side of arm H2. This sleeve fits loosely within theprojecting tubular bearing in the cap B, and as it bears throughout itslength on the spindle it is prevented from binding thus insuring freedomof action of the spring.

The cylindrical section or spring cylind er a of the casing A is formedwith a slot i2 the edges of which are beveled as shown, to receive thecurved outer end i2 of the spring I. The spring is provided with aretaining band l, which limits its expansion and by means of the curvedor hooked ends thereof and the groove in sleeve H and the slot z2 havingbeveled edges, the spring may be removed or placed in the casing eitherside up to adapt it for use on either a right or left hand check.

Heretofore' the arm I-ls has been secured to the spindle by drilling andtapping the end of the latter to receive a screw which holds a washerover the arm. With such a construction the spindle is so weakened thatit frequently breaks under the strain, and when not broken, the constantusage to which the parts are subjected causes the screw to becomeloosened, thus rendering the connection loose and unreliable. Toovercome these objections, I cast the arm H2 with a projecting lug h4which latter is drilled and tapped, to receive the screw h6. This lug isthen sawed through leaving a kerf which is sufficient to permit theangularbearing on the end of the arm tobe compressed around and thuslocked to the angular end of the spindle.

To the outer end of arm I-Iis pivotally secured the extensible link H6carrying the bracket Il7 which latter is designed to be fastened to thedoor, casing or jamb as the case may be. t

The downwardly proJecting wrist pins on the head of the spindle arelocated approximately in the horizontal center of the liquid chamber,and on each is mounted a link d2. T o the outer end of each link ispivotally attached a screw Zwhich latter passes through a` cylindricalpiston M and engages a nut. The twocylindrical pistons are located onopposite sides of the axis of the spindle and as the latter is turned inopening or closing a door, the pistons are moved simultaneously inopposite directions away from or toward each other as the case may be.

The liquid cylinder or chamber is closed at its opposite ends by thescrew caps l), suitable gaskets beinginterposed to prevent leakage atthe ends.

Each piston is cutaway on top as shown at m to permit its inner end tostraddle the head of the spindle when the pistons are in their innermostpositions, and each piston head is provided with a series of holes ncovered on their inner faces by the release valve P2.

From the foregoingit will be seen that when the pistons are movedoutwardly or toward the ends of the liquid cylinder, the liquid pressingagainst the valves P2 bends them inwardly, thus permitting the liquid topass freely through the piston heads and into the space between thepistons. When however the pistons are moved toward each other, as theyare while the door is closing, the pressure of the liquid forces thevalves against the faces of the pistons and prevents the escape of theliquid through these holes. The liquid between the twopistonsconstitutes then the checking medium and the rapidity with which thedoor moves in closing is dependent on the rapidity of the discharge ofthe liquid from between the pistons. In openingthe door, the spring iscompressed and the pistons moved outwardly toward the ends of thecylinder, the liquid between the pistons and ends of the cylinderpassing freely through the holes in the pistons. Then the door isreleased, the spring then exerts its tension to close the door, and theliquid thus confined between the pistonsoperatesasthecheckingmedium.Vheu the door is in the act of closing, the liquid between the twopistons isunder pressure while the liquid between the piston heads andheads of the cylinder is practically free from pressure. This bringingtheliquid under pressure directly under the spindle tends to force thespindle upward bringing it against its shoulder heretofore described andthe harder the pressure, is the tighter the spindle fits against itsbearing suitably packed` and the tendency to leakage about the spindleupward into the spring chamber is practically entirely overcome. Inpractice this method of operation has been found to prevent leakage. If,however, any of the checking liquid should leak upward about the spindleit is received into the chamber G2, before described, which as beforestated is in communication by ports or passages with the ends of theliquid cylinder. The pressure being thus relieved the liquid iiows backinto the liquid cylinder. By this arrangement of parts there is nopressure of the liquid against the screw cap. I-Ience the tendency toleak upwardly into the spring chamber is entirely overcome.

In order to permit the liquid which enters the space between the pistonswhile the door is being opened, to escape while the spring is closingthe door, I have provided the cylinder with a groove o which latterextends from the opening in the partition C to a point beyond the throwof the piston. Extending transversely the cylinder, is the rotary valveO which latter crosses the groove o. This valve IOO IIO

IIS

projects at one end beyond the casing and is provided with a thumb wheelo by means of which it can be turned for the purpose of regulating thedischarge, and is also provided with a transverse groove o2 in line ofand adapted to register with the groove o in the cylinder. When thevalve is turned so that the groove therein is in line with the groove inthe cylinder, the discharge outlet is then open to its full capacity andthe door will close rapidly. When however the valve is turned so as topartly close the groove o the door will close more slowly, the movementof the door in closing being dependent on the position of the valve.

The piston at the end of the cylinder in which the checking valve isplaced, is provided on its upper side at its inner edge with a taperinggroove r which latter rests under and in line with groove o in thecylinder. The larger end of this groove is at the inner endv of thepiston, and as the pistons move inwardly while checking the door, itwill Vbe seen that as the door starts to close the liquid is releasedfreely thus permitting the door to move rapidly. As the pistons moveinward however, the groove gradually decreasing in size, moves under thevalve thus gradually cutting off the escape and consequently graduallyretarding the closing movement of the door. The effect of this gradualdecrease in speed is to lessen the shockin closing ofthe door when thepistons come against the full resistance of the checking medium. Bymeans of the tapering groove, the door meets the full checkingresistance provided by the adjustment of the valve'inthe groove of thecylinder gradually. Consequently there is no rebound or shock, but thedoor moves smoothly and gradually to the latching point.

The casing is attached to the door or door frame, and the bracket to thedoor' frame or door, in the usual manner, and as the door is opened thespring is compressed and the pistons separated, the separation of thepistons forcing the liquid between the pistons. The liquid thus forcedbetween the pistons is the checking medium, and the movement of the doorin closing is controlled by the escape of the liquid from between thecylinders. The piston having the groove in its top face is also providedwith a groove rlin its outer face, which is designed to permit of themore rapid and sudden discharge of the liquid confined between thepistons just at the point of latching the door. The parts are soarranged that this groove in the rear face of the piston passes thepassage or groove in the valve at that time, and su ddenly releasinganincreased volume of the liquid permits the door to be closed withsufficient speed and forceto latch the door. This same effect ofreleasing an increased volume of liquid atthe moment of latching may besecured by omitting the last named groove in the piston and arrangingthe parts so that the throw of the piston will bring the inner endthereof beyond the valve at the latching point. When the door is closingas only one side of the liquid cylinder is provided with the groove andvalve for providing for, and regulating, the escape of theliquid thesurplus of liquid after passing to the end of the cylinder outside ofthe piston is free to flow through the ports or passages g3 and chamberG.

By the construction and arrangement of parts as above described allliability of leakage into the spring chamber while the liquid is undercompression between the pistons is avoided, and by employing two pistonsmoving toward the center in closing, I get double the length of movementin compressing the Vliquid and at the same time avoid all side thrust orpressure on the spindle bearings together with obtaining greatsimplicity,

strength and durability of the parts.

As it is obvious that many changes in ther construction and relativearrangement of parts might be resorted to without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention I would have it understood that I donot restrict the invention to the particular construction herein shownand described, but,

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, isA

l. A door check comprising in its construction a spring chamber, aliquid chamber closed at its ends, a spring, a spindle, ltwo pistonsconnected to the spindle and means for permit- IOO ment of the pistonsand connected to said pistons.

ber audits spring, a spindle, a liquid chamber closed at its ends, twopistons connected to the spindle, means for permitting tne free passageof the liquid from the ends of the liquid chamber to the space betweenthe pistons, and a valved groove or port for regulating and controllingthe escape of liquid from between the pistons.

4. A door check comprising a spring chamber and its spring, a liquidchamber closed at its ends, a spindle, two pistons connected to thespindle, means for permitting the free passage of liquid from the endsof the cylindergto the space between the pistons and a groove in thecylinder for the escape of the liquid from between the pistons, thepiston adjacent to the groove in the cylinder having 3. A door checkcomprising a spring cham- IZO a groove registering with the groove inthe spindle, two pistons connected with the spindle, one of said pistonshaving a groove therein, and a valved groove in the cylinder forregulating the escape of liquid from between the pistons, the saidvalved groove registering with the groove in the piston and means forpermitting the passage of the liquid from the ends of the cylinder tothe space between the pistons.

6. A door check comprising a spring chamber and its spring, a closedliquid chamber having a valved groove or port, a spindle, and twopistons located in the liquid chamber and connected to the spindle, oneot said pistons having a tapering groove registering with the valvedgroove or port in the cylinder, and on its outer face with a taperinggroove also registering with said valved groove or port.

7. A door check comprising a spring chamber and its spring, a liquidchamber, a spindle passing into the liquid chamber, packing for thespindle, a supplemental chamber above the packing and communicating withthe liquid chamber near one end of the latter, and a piston connected tothe spindle, substantially as set forth.

8. A door check comprising a liquid chamber, a spindle passing into theliquid chamber and adapted to actuate a piston, a packing sleeve throughwhich the spindle passes, the said packing sleeve being secured in thewall of the liquid chamber, and a nut secured to the spindle and restingou the sleeve, substantially as set forth.

9. A door check comprisingaliquid cha1nber, a spindle passing into theliquid chamber and adapted to actuate two pistons, a packing sleevethrough which the spindle passes, the said packing sleeve being securedin the wall of the liquid chamber, a screw cap secured above the packingsleeve, a chamber between said cap and sleeve, and ports in the casingconnecting the said chamber withthe liquid chamber near the outer endsof the latter.

l0. A door cheek comprising a liquid chamber, a packing sleeve securedin the wall ot the liquid chamber, a screw cap secured above the packingsleeve, a gland in the cap, a spindle passing through the gland, cap andsleeve, and adapted to actuate a piston, and a nut secured to thespindle and resting on the sleeve.

1l. A door check comprising in its construction a liquid chamber closedat its ends, a spindle,two pistons connected to the spindle, and a valvefor regulating the escape of the liquid from between the cylinders.

l2. A door check comprisinginitsconstruction a closed liquid chamber, aspindle, two valved pistons connected to the spindle, and a valve forregulating the escape of the liquid from between the pistons.

13. A door check comprising a closed main liquid chamber, a supplementalliquid chainber, ports connecting the latter with the main liquidchamber, a spindle passing throughthe supplemental chamber andterminating in the main liquid chamber, and two pistons connected withthe spindle, substantially as set forth.

ll. A door check comprising a liquid cham ber, a packing, a spindlepassing through the packing and provided with a shoulder the latterresting against the packing, and a piston connected to the spindle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscrib-v ing witnesses.

CROMWELL O. CASE.

Witnesses:

C. A. BLAIR, G. E. Boor.

